Pocho the crocodile

[AzJohn]

I saw a show on the National Geographic Channel and it was kind of crazy. The show had videos of the "owner" swimming with Pocho at night and "playing" death rolls. This thing slept on the porch and would return to the house every time they tried to release it into the wild. The crocodile was kept around small children for years.


A few websites
http://www.ticotimes.net/More-news/...o-dies-in-Siquirres_Wednesday-October-12-2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qii42LTXORg
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/videos/crocs-are-a-mans-best-friend/

 

[Cavedweller]

Oh yeah, I remember these two! Man it must be a terrible loss for Chito. Pocho was a pretty amazing croc.

I seem to recall someone theorizing that the head would caused brain damage to Pocho that reduced his predatory instincts. What do you guys think of that idea? While there's no argument that crocs are smart enough to recognize their keepers, it would be really interesting to find out if they are actually capable of recognizing the fact that someone saved them.

 

[Texas T]

Just saw the show. it was very interesting. It is possible that the gunshot could have damaged the brain. If I am not mistaken the alligator at the Texas State Aquarium was also rescued after getting shot.

 

[stewstew8282]

A gunshot induced lobotomy? I think that might be a very good guess as to the docile nature of the animal..

 

[Louise E. Rothstein]

Crocodiles can be conservative. If they accept anyplace as their "home" they do try to stay-or to go back there- no matter where or what "there" may be.

It is beyond reasonable doubt that many crocodiles would have become highly dissatisfied on a front porch.

But one did not...whenever it was taken anywhere else it came back by choice.

"Lobotomized?"
I would not be too sure: since it was able to find its way back several times and from different directions its brain HAD to be operational.

What a pity that crocs can't talk.

 

[Smokehound714]

Well, crocodiles, as dangerous as they are, are social animals. I knew a guy from another forum, years ago, that had a big Nile crocodile that loved him to death, and always wanted to be held like a baby. The pic was so priceless, you could tell the dude was straining under the weight of that leviathan.